Defence states its case for Sir Alex Ferguson

Bolton Wanderers 0 Manchester United 4

James Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent

Monday March 29 2010, 1.01am, The Times

James Ducker, Northern Football Correspondent

Monday March 29 2010, 1.01am, The Times

Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese general and strategist, may have been talking about military combat when he argued that “invincibility lies in the defence, the possibility of victory in attack” but the theory also applies to football.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been telling anyone who cares to listen that Manchester United’s hopes of securing a record fourth successive league title are likely to rest more on the performances of his back four than anything else — the form of Wayne Rooney included — and after another impressive rearguard action against Bolton Wanderers, it is hard to disagree with the manager.

Rooney will play in Munich but, like Rio Ferdinand, he was not risked at the Reebok Stadium. Ferdinand’s minor groin problem will cause Ferguson a